ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: June 2013

[karriealex]

I am not trying to be a smart tush or anything believe me but was there this much uproar with switching resorts etc.. when DVC went into CR and GF or is it that the Poly has much more of a special reverence to it? I wasn't on the DIS when that was happening so I honestly don't know.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I feel your pain.

I've finally, with some reluctance, thrown in the towel and cancelled my Poly ressie for May of 2014 (switched to CR garden wing).

Just got tired of stressing about how bad the construction might be during our stay (even though I knew it was coming, the offical DVC announcement today didn't help matters).

Still hoping 'Ohana and Kona will be open during our stay as I'm planning ADRs at both (at least this will give us somewhat of a Poly fix).

Finances permitting, we'll probably aim to shoot for a stay in the Poly in 2016 when everything is finished.

That's our plan....Poly 2016

 

[jenluvs2go2disney]

At the Poly now. We are having a great time. Our first time staying club level. We haven't noticed much with the construction, just a silt fence going up. The volcano pool was closed tonight when we got back from the MK. Someone had an accident in it, so the kids were disappointed that they couldn't go on the slide.

 

[maiapapaya]

I am not trying to be a smart tush or anything believe me but was there this much uproar with switching resorts etc.. when DVC went into CR and GF or is it that the Poly has much more of a special reverence to it? I wasn't on the DIS when that was happening so I honestly don't know.

I haven't hung out in the CR or GF threads, so I don't know. I think the difference here is that while the DVC construction is going on TPTB have decided to simultaneously do a major overhaul of both the GCH and the main pool. Once construction was underway at BLT, I doubt it had a lot of affect on the main CR building. The GF's construction was also somewhat separated from the rest of the resort. They did do some work on the main pool during the DVC construction there, but I don't think there was anything done to the main building. With the Poly if everything happens according to the rumoured schedule, a big chunk of the beach, along with one of the biggest/most popular longhouses will be closed, while major work is also happening on the GCH and the main pool. That's a lot of disruption for a resort.

 

[dansdad]

I am not trying to be a smart tush or anything believe me but was there this much uproar with switching resorts etc.. when DVC went into CR and GF or is it that the Poly has much more of a special reverence to it? I wasn't on the DIS when that was happening so I honestly don't know.

I don't know about CR, but I do know that yes there was quite an uproar on the GF thread when DVC started. Just like with the Poly, when DVC started at GF they also did some major rehabs. Off the top of my head, Gaspirilla's, the health club, spa and both pools had work done on them. The pools were closed one at a time.

ETA

Here is the list of everything that was done at the GF while DVC was going on. And people were not happy at all about all of this.


**Beach Pool currently closed for refurb, May 30 through June 1, 2013. The slide will be closed May 27 through June 1. Pool and slide to be reopened on June 2, 2013.**

The Courtyard pool has been recently re-opened after an extensive renovation, including adding zero entry. Link to new photos.

**Mouseketeer Club has been renovated as the new arcade room in Gasparilla's.


The following list of GF locations have been recently closed for refurbishments:
Mizner's Lounge, used as a quick service option during the Gasparillas refurb, has resumed operations as a lounge as of December 21st
Sandy Cove Merchandise: Closed through November 17, 2012**NOW Open!!
Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012**NOW Open!!
Gasparilla Grill & Games: Closed through mid December, 2012**Now Open!!
Courtyard Pool: Closed through late December 2012NOW OPEN as of March 30, 2013!!
Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club: NOW Open!! All WDW spas will be under Disney management starting January 16, 2013 as "Senses - A Disney Spa".
Alice in Wonderland Splash Zone **OPENED as of Sept. 19, 2012**

Beach Pool Bar & Grill: **RE-OPENED as of Sept. 17, closed again May 30, 2013 for renovation. Scheduled to reopen June 2, 2013.**

 

[Minnie7]

Oh gosh... was hoping we could stay next year before construction started, but it's a little too late for that . Now I'm just sort of hoping that construction won't be terrible when we go.

 

[karriealex]

I don't know about CR, but I do know that yes there was quite an uproar on the GF thread when DVC started. Just like with the Poly, when DVC started at GF they also did some major rehabs. Off the top of my head, Gaspirilla's, the health club, spa and both pools had work done on them. The pools were closed one at a time.

ETA

Here is the list of everything that was done at the GF while DVC was going on. And people were not happy at all about all of this.


**Beach Pool currently closed for refurb, May 30 through June 1, 2013. The slide will be closed May 27 through June 1. Pool and slide to be reopened on June 2, 2013.**

The Courtyard pool has been recently re-opened after an extensive renovation, including adding zero entry. Link to new photos.

**Mouseketeer Club has been renovated as the new arcade room in Gasparilla's.


The following list of GF locations have been recently closed for refurbishments:
Mizner's Lounge, used as a quick service option during the Gasparillas refurb, has resumed operations as a lounge as of December 21st
Sandy Cove Merchandise: Closed through November 17, 2012**NOW Open!!
Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012**NOW Open!!
Gasparilla Grill & Games: Closed through mid December, 2012**Now Open!!
Courtyard Pool: Closed through late December 2012NOW OPEN as of March 30, 2013!!
Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club: NOW Open!! All WDW spas will be under Disney management starting January 16, 2013 as "Senses - A Disney Spa".
Alice in Wonderland Splash Zone **OPENED as of Sept. 19, 2012**

Beach Pool Bar & Grill: **RE-OPENED as of Sept. 17, closed again May 30, 2013 for renovation. Scheduled to reopen June 2, 2013.**

Thank you. I was just wondering since I wasn't visiting the DIS during that time. I understand the upset but wan't sure if it was just because it was the Poly or if it had also happened at one or both of the other monorail resorts.

 

[Princess_Au]

I did an online check-in for the first time. Will I be able to talk to the cast member and have them search for other available rooms, if I don’t get our requested longhouse? I realize a request is not guaranteed, but I am hoping they can give me other options, if I’m not happy with our assigned room.

Does anyone know the answer to my question? TIA!

 

[kellylfitz]

Does anyone know the answer to my question? TIA!

If you have a specific issue (like you would prefer a patio or want to be closer to the GCH), they will try to accommodate you if they can.

 

[rcraw45425]

When we checked in back in June I had requested Samoa or Tokelau, no other requests. The CM tried to put us in a parking lot view in Raratonga. I asked if Tokelau was available and lo and behold, we were given a garden view room in Tokelau. I'm not convinced that the online check in (which has been on the fritz since I booked Sunday) is a crock. I've found that at all Disney resorts, if you ask nicely the CMs will try to accommodate your requests if they're not too ridiculous.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Just a heads up Tinkerbellie, Tikiman had pictures on his FB page of construction erosion barriers that have gone up. People who are currently on site have said that they "wrap almost entirely around the back of Tokelau" (likely because of its proximity to Tahiti & Rapa Nui) You might want to keep an eye on the construction updates for reports of actual construction walls going up in these same areas (nothing yet, but probably coming, just not sure when). You probably don't want a lovely view of that!

BTW, I know your pain with talking to the darned automated system. It NEVER gets our last name right - always have to go through the annoyance of several attempts before it lets me just speak to a CM!

Thanks for the heads up! I am keeping an eye out on Tikiman's facebook site and his website and will certainly adjust any requests accordingly For this reason alone, I have decided not to do online check-in (at least not yet!) The walls they have put up now do not bother us. And if they stay short or we could see the construction from our room, we would probably PREFER that! My husband has his own construction company and he is fascinated with Disney construction. Depending on what they are doing - and if we could see it - we might prefer the construction view! Yes, weird, I know

Does anyone know the answer to my question? TIA!

I see others have answered you as well but from my personal experience they will help you whether you do online check in or not (I have done both, several times!) Typically they have honored my room requests that I have called in advance and the times they haven't, they have moved me although I have had to wait for a room (and other times I haven't).

In general, I have prefered online check in only because of the shorter line off the magical express bus. But I have been renting a car the past few trips so we are the only ones in line (as long as you don't enter when ME is unloading!) In that situation, I notice no difference with online check in or not. In fact once we did online check in and they had nothing ready for us anyway and another time we didn't do online check in and everything was all set

 

[jennifaerie]

My husband has his own construction company and he is fascinated with Disney construction. Depending on what they are doing - and if we could see it - we might prefer the construction view! Yes, weird, I know

Not weird at all! Or I'm weird with you. When I faxed in my request last week, I asked for "Construction View". My husband just graduated from college this year in Mechanical Design, and he's enthralled with watching things be built and torn down. He thought it'd be great to have a front row seat!

 

[carly102982]

Hi Everyone. I will be staying at Poly for the first time on Dec 1-6. I have been doing lots of reading but all this construction info is overwhelming! Just looking for some any tips for a first timer and to clarify a few things?

You can do online check in60 days in advance right?
Which rooms are the remodeled ones? I seen lots of different views listed but my reservation just says standard view so I'm not sure what that even means?

The trip will be me, my husband, my mom and our 2 boys ages 3 and 5. Thanks for any help/ info. We have been to disney several times but always stayed at POP. We saved and were very excited to try Poly, but now I'm getting concerned.

 

[maiapapaya]

Thanks for the heads up! I am keeping an eye out on Tikiman's facebook site and his website and will certainly adjust any requests accordingly For this reason alone, I have decided not to do online check-in (at least not yet!) The walls they have put up now do not bother us. And if they stay short or we could see the construction from our room, we would probably PREFER that! My husband has his own construction company and he is fascinated with Disney construction. Depending on what they are doing - and if we could see it - we might prefer the construction view! Yes, weird, I know

Not weird, sounds like my DH! He's not in the construction industry, but he has a real interest in that kind of thing!

 

[mickeynut1]

I did an online check-in for the first time. Will I be able to talk to the cast member and have them search for other available rooms, if I don’t get our requested longhouse? I realize a request is not guaranteed, but I am hoping they can give me other options, if I’m not happy with our assigned room.

Yes, if you would like to try and get a different room/longhouse, you can talk to a CM. He/she will do everything they can to accommodate your request, but like a pp mentioned, it might involve some waiting if a different room is doable but not available right away .

It's Official!
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/other--proposed-resorts/2392-polynesian-dvc-announced

Thanks for the link .

All this talk about construction at the volcano pool and GCH in January is making me nervous. One or the other would be okay, but not both.
Do you really think they would close both at the same time? I considered changing our reservation but the Poly is our home away from home. Thinking about staying somewhere else makes me sad...

We are booked for a few nights right before Christmas and while I would be sad if the GCH is closed during our stay, we are sticking with the Poly with or without construction. We've only stayed at the Poly once, but that was enough for us to fall in love with everything about the resort and we are excited to give CL a try .

At the Poly now. We are having a great time. Our first time staying club level. We haven't noticed much with the construction, just a silt fence going up. The volcano pool was closed tonight when we got back from the MK. Someone had an accident in it, so the kids were disappointed that they couldn't go on the slide.

Glad you're having a great time .

Hi Everyone. I will be staying at Poly for the first time on Dec 1-6. I have been doing lots of reading but all this construction info is overwhelming! Just looking for some any tips for a first timer and to clarify a few things?

You can do online check in60 days in advance right?
Which rooms are the remodeled ones? I seen lots of different views listed but my reservation just says standard view so I'm not sure what that even means?

The trip will be me, my husband, my mom and our 2 boys ages 3 and 5. Thanks for any help/ info. We have been to disney several times but always stayed at POP. We saved and were very excited to try Poly, but now I'm getting concerned.

Yes, you can do OCI 60 days prior to arrival . The finish date for the longhouse refurbs is scheduled for sometime in October, so everything as far as the longhouses are concerned should be done by your stay in December .

 

[thorphin]

You can do online check in60 days in advance right?
Which rooms are the remodeled ones? I seen lots of different views listed but my reservation just says standard view so I'm not sure what that even means?

The trip will be me, my husband, my mom and our 2 boys ages 3 and 5. Thanks for any help/ info. We have been to disney several times but always stayed at POP. We saved and were very excited to try Poly, but now I'm getting concerned.

Online check in is 60 days in advance.

All rooms except those in Tahiti and Rapa Nui have been remodeled. These two longhouses will be converted to DVC, so you won't likely be assigned to them in December.

Standard view is sometimes listed as Garden view, but basically, you aren't paying extra for a view of the lagoon or MK. And you aren't paying extra for Club Level room categories. So, you'll get a view of other longhouses, gardens, pathways, pools, parking lot, or monorail. All of this depends on which room and which longhouse you are assigned to. You can make a longhouse/room REQUEST when you book, or by fax, or when you do online checkin. These are just requests, and it's just about as likely that you'll get your request honored as it is that you won't. So don't get your heart set on it. If you are really freaked out about parking lot view, you'll have to pay extra to guarantee yourself a lagoon or theme park view. Club level rooms are at the north end of the resort and also would not be overlooking a parking lot.

 

[Dannek]

Not weird at all! Or I'm weird with you. When I faxed in my request last week, I asked for "Construction View". My husband just graduated from college this year in Mechanical Design, and he's enthralled with watching things be built and torn down. He thought it'd be great to have a front row seat!

Sounds like someone is going to have to start a new thread for all the people who are going to the Poly specifically for the construction and views of it....lol.

Builders unite!

 

[twinmom1107]

We'll be staying @ Poly Nov 11-17th and we are sooooo excited. It's our first time!! I was going to do online check in and request a building but...I've never been there, LOL so I have absolutely no clue what to request! What's everyone's favorite? Just one thing to keep in mind and that is my little guy is in a wheelchair so we did make ressies for an accessible room. Also, with all this construction talk going on, should I make a request now and hope for the best?..or...wait a bit and see if more info. comes in regarding the locations of the buildings that are being renovated. Construction or not ~ we are super excited and will make the best of whatever craziness we find!

 

[sjs314]

We'll be staying @ Poly Nov 11-17th and we are sooooo excited. It's our first time!! I was going to do online check in and request a building but...I've never been there, LOL so I have absolutely no clue what to request! What's everyone's favorite? Just one thing to keep in mind and that is my little guy is in a wheelchair so we did make ressies for an accessible room. Also, with all this construction talk going on, should I make a request now and hope for the best?..or...wait a bit and see if more info. comes in regarding the locations of the buildings that are being renovated. Construction or not ~ we are super excited and will make the best of whatever craziness we find!

I believe Tikiman's website(not FB) shows the various bldg and location of the HA rooms.
Special needs use to block a particular room but not sure if thy still do that or not

 

[jennifaerie]

Sounds like someone is going to have to start a new thread for all the people who are going to the Poly specifically for the construction and views of it....lol.

Builders unite!

Ha ha! I figure I'll get a nicer room that way.